A humble and kind human being. An extraordinary business role model. A selfless and generous supporter of his community and all of the organizations for which he served as a champion. This does not even begin to characterize Steve Sheetz or describe the void that his passing has created.

Even with the well-deserved national recognition and stature that Steve is respected and admired for, he remained “just Steve”! The “guy” that built a convenience store empire from a single location on Union Avenue, Steve was still a “guy” whose life was shaped by a community he loved.

The countless organizations who helped define Steve were certainly the recipients of his unending gratitude and support. This was never more apparent than in Steve’s generosity in helping to weave the region’s artistic tapestry. He was an ardent patron of AltoonaCommunity Theatre, Altoona Symphony Orchestra, Southern Alleghenies Museum of Art and a multitude of performing and visual arts organizations throughout the area.

Steve’s love of the area’s cultural cornerstone, the Historic Mishler Theatre, was a life-long devotion. As the theatre approached the many facets of its decades-long restoration, when Steve’s assistance was needed, his answer was never “no.” Whether the need was carpeting, seating or establishing a lounge from a dingy, dirty, spider-infested basement, Steve’s answer was let’s get started!

So Steve, thank you for SPIRITZ! Thank you for your spirit of community. Thank you for your unending love and support, your self-less generosity, and your infectious laugh. Thanks for being “our guy,” just “Steve.”

Kate Shaffer

Executive director, Blair County Arts Foundation